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Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife Michele found dead in LA home

December 15, 2025

Acclaimed film director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were discovered deceased in their Brentwood, Los Angeles residence under circumstances that police are treating as a homicide investigation. The 78-year-old director, celebrated for helming iconic films across multiple genres including romantic comedies, thrillers, and mockumentaries, had recently released a sequel to his cult classic This is Spinal Tap. Emergency responders were summoned to the couple's home on a Sunday afternoon, though authorities have not disclosed details about injuries, weapons, or suspects, and no arrests have been made.

Who is affected

  • Rob Reiner (78-year-old director/actor) and Michele Reiner (68-year-old photographer/producer) - the deceased victims
  • The Reiner family's three children together, plus Tracy Reiner (Rob's adoptive daughter from his previous marriage to Penny Marshall)
  • Hollywood collaborators including Kathy Bates, Eric Idle, John Cusack, Elijah Wood, James Woods, Ben Stiller, and Josh Gad
  • Political figures Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, and Karen Bass
  • Castle Rock Entertainment (production company Rob co-founded)
  • The Brentwood neighborhood community where the incident occurred

What action is being taken

  • Los Angeles Police Department robbery homicide detectives have opened a homicide investigation
  • Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide
  • The LA coroner's office will be determining the cause of death
  • Police and firefighters responded to the scene and both bodies remain inside the house (as of the Sunday night press conference)

Why it matters

  • Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood's most versatile and successful directors, creating culturally significant films spanning multiple generations and genres that became formative works for audiences. Beyond his artistic legacy, Reiner was deeply involved in social justice causes including children's advocacy, civil rights, fighting Big Tobacco, marriage equality, and early childhood education, making his loss significant to both the entertainment industry and progressive political movements. His death under apparent homicide circumstances has shocked the entertainment community and raises concerns about safety even in affluent neighborhoods, while leaving unfinished the work of an active advocate who used his platform for social change.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC